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Knowing JESUS Daily Devotional | December 26, 2019. Enrich and Sustain your relationship with Jesus reading our daily devotional – Beloved, while I was making every effort to write you about our common salvation, I was compelled to write to you [urgently] appealing that you fight strenuously for [the defense of] the faith which was once for all handed down to the saints [the faith that is the sum of Christian belief that was given verbally to believers] – Jude 1:3
Beloved, the saints in Bible days lived exemplary lifestyle. This was because they were willing to defend their faith in God with their blood.
They could endure sufferings of any length to defend their faith in God.
You will recount the numbers of years Joseph suffered holding on to the righteous standard his father taught him.
This is exactly the expectation of the Lord from believers of all ages and you in particular. Don’t ever forget. See what the scriptures says.
Jude 1:3 Beloved, when I gave all diligence to write unto you of the common salvation, it was needful for me to write unto you, and exhort you that ye should earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints.
Paul the apostle personalized this conviction, believing the Lord had raised him up like the saints of old, to defend the gospel.
Philippians 1:17 But the other of love, knowing that I am set for the defence of the gospel.
But then, this also is the expectation of the Lord from believers of all ages, especially you.
This is because, Paul was raised up as a pattern for believers of all ages.
1 Timothy 1:16 Howbeit for this cause I obtained mercy, that in me first Jesus Christ might shew forth all longsuffering, for a pattern to them which should hereafter believe on him to life everlasting.
Beloved, the reason why this becomes necessary is the fact that, just like saints of old willingly suffered for their faith in God, believers of all ages especially you are to be joyful partakers of Christ suffering. Don’t ever forget this.
Philippians 1:29 For unto you it is given in the behalf of Christ, not only to believe on him, but also to suffer for his sake;
Beloved, see some examples of saints and believers in Bible days who defeated their faith through sufferings.
1. The three Hebrews were thrown literally to burning furnace for their faith in God..
Dan 3:14 — 21 Nebuchadnezzar spake and said unto them, Is it true, O Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, do not ye serve my gods, nor worship the golden image which I have set up? Now if ye be ready that at what time ye hear the sound of the cornet, flute, harp, sackbut, psaltery, and dulcimer, and all kinds of musick, ye fall down and worship the image which I have made; well: but if ye worship not, ye shall be cast the same hour into the midst of a burning fiery furnace; and who is that God that shall deliver you out of my hands? Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, answered and said to the king, O Nebuchadnezzar, we are not careful to answer thee in this matter. If it be so, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace, and he will deliver us out of thine hand, O king. But if not, be it known unto thee, O king, that we will not serve thy gods, nor worship the golden image which thou hast set up. Then was Nebuchadnezzar full of fury, and the form of his visage was changed against Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego: therefore he spake, and commanded that they should heat the furnace one seven times more than it was wont to be heated. And he commanded the most mighty men that were in his army to bind Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, and to cast them into the burning fiery furnace. Then these men were bound in their coats, their hosen, and their hats, and their other garments, and were cast into the midst of the burning fiery furnace.
2. Daniel went to the den of Lions defending his faith in God.
Dan 6:7 — 11 All the presidents of the kingdom, the governors, and the princes, the counsellors, and the captains, have consulted together to establish a royal statute, and to make a firm decree, that whosoever shall ask a petition of any God or man for thirty days, save of thee, O king, he shall be cast into the den of lions. Now, O king, establish the decree, and sign the writing, that it be not changed, according to the law of the Medes and Persians, which altereth not. Wherefore king Darius signed the writing and the decree. Now when Daniel knew that the writing was signed, he went into his house; and his windows being open in his chamber toward Jerusalem, he kneeled upon his knees three times a day, and prayed, and gave thanks before his God, as he did aforetime. Then these men assembled, and found Daniel praying and making supplication before his God.
3. The apostles were threatened with mytrdom to defend their faith.
Act 5:27 — 33 And when they had brought them, they set them before the council: and the high priest asked them, Saying, Did not we straitly command you that ye should not teach in this name? and, behold, ye have filled Jerusalem with your doctrine, and intend to bring this man’s blood upon us. Then Peter and the other apostles answered and said, We ought to obey God rather than men. The God of our fathers raised up Jesus, whom ye slew and hanged on a tree. Him hath God exalted with his right hand to be a Prince and a Saviour, for to give repentance to Israel, and forgiveness of sins. And we are his witnesses of these things; and so is also the Holy Ghost, whom God hath given to them that obey him.
When they heard that, they were cut to the heart, and took counsel to slay them.
Act 5:40 — Act 5:42 And to him they agreed: and when they had called the apostles, and beaten them, they commanded that they should not speak in the name of Jesus, and let them go. And they departed from the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer shame for his name. And daily in the temple, and in every house, they ceased not to teach and preach Jesus Christ.
The blessed Holy Spirit says this is the pathway for all heaven bound believers. Please be prepared to go through anything because of your faith in God.
Act 14:22 Confirming the souls of the disciples, and exhorting them to continue in the faith, and that we must through much tribulation enter into the kingdom of God.
Revelation 2:10 Fear none of those things which thou shalt suffer: behold, the devil shall cast some of you into prison, that ye may be tried; and ye shall have tribulation ten days: be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life.
Dearly beloved, during the earthly ministry of our Lord Jesus Christ, He lived by the faith, meaning the entirety of the scriptures.
Matthew 4:4 But he answered and said, It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God.
In addition, he taught what He personally did.
Acts 1:1. The former treatise have I made, O Theophilus, of all that Jesus began both to do and teach,
And then before His ascension to heaven, He commanded His followers then and by extension His followers today, which includes you to preach the faith. Meaning the entirety of God’s unfailing words.
Matthew 28:20 Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.
The blessed Holy Spirit affirmed same for perfection and edification of believers of all ages.
2Ti 3:16 — 2Ti 3:17 All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works.
The preaching of the entirety of the scriptures becomes necessary because the blessed Holy Spirit had prophesied that at the end of time, majority of those who are professing religion globally shall depart from the faith.
They will be disinterested in hearing it but then they shall prefer to listening to fables from merchandise motivational speakers.
1 Timothy 4:1 Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils;
2Ti 4:1 — 2Ti 4:4 I charge thee therefore before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, who shall judge the quick and the dead at his appearing and his kingdom; Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine. I’mFor the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables.
But then for heaven bound believers, like you, the faith, meaning , the preaching of the entirety of the scriptures, is a must.
Jude 1:3 Beloved, when I gave all diligence to write unto you of the common salvation, it was needful for me to write unto you, and exhort you that ye should earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints.
It is a must when preaching to multitude or congregations.
Acts 6:7 And the word of God increased; and the number of the disciples multiplied in Jerusalem greatly; and a great company of the priests were obedient to the faith.
Gal 1:23 But they had heard only, That he which persecuted us in times past now preacheth the faith which once he destroyed.
Col 1:23 If ye continue in the faith grounded and settled, and be not moved away from the hope of the gospel, which ye have heard, and which was preached to every creature which is under heaven; whereof I Paul am made a minister;
Col 2:7 Rooted and built up in him, and stablished in the faith, as ye have been taught, abounding therein with thanksgiving.
Col 2:12 Buried with him in baptism, wherein also ye are risen with him through the faith of the operation of God, who hath raised him from the dead.
Eph 4:13 Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ.
1Ti 5:8 But if any provide not for his own, and specially for those of his own house, he hath denied the faith, and is worse than an infidel.
1Ti 6:10 For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.
Tit 1:13 This witness is true. Wherefore rebuke them sharply, that they may be sound in the faith;
James 2:1 My brethren, have not the faith of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Lord of glory, with respect of persons.
It is a must when preaching to an individual.
Act 13:8 But Elymas the sorcerer (for so is his name by interpretation) withstood them, seeking to turn away the deputy from the faith.
Act 24:24 And after certain days, when Felix came with his wife Drusilla, which was a Jewess, he sent for Paul, and heard him concerning the faith in Christ.
1Ti 1:2 Unto Timothy, my own son in the faith: Grace, mercy, and peace, from God our Father and Jesus Christ our Lord.
Tit 3:15 All that are with me salute thee. Greet them that love us in the faith. Grace be with you all. Amen.It was written to Titus, ordained the first bishop of the church of the Cretians, from Nicopolis of Macedonia.
It is a must when preaching to oneself. When you are edifying yourself, you must live by the entirety of the scriptures.
Gal 2:20 I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.
Phi 3:7 — 9 But what things were gain to me, those I counted loss for Christ. Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ, And be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith:
It is a must when preaching to people who says they don’t believe. So that their blood will not be required from your hands.
Rom 3:3 For what if some did not believe? shall their unbelief make the faith of God without effect?
Ezk 3:18 — 19 When I say unto the wicked, Thou shalt surely die; and thou givest him not warning, nor speakest to warn the wicked from his wicked way, to save his life; the same wicked man shall die in his iniquity; but his blood will I require at thine hand. Yet if thou warn the wicked, and he turn not from his wickedness, nor from his wicked way, he shall die in his iniquity; but thou hast delivered thy soul.
If believers and you in particular must be ready to meet with Jesus when He comes, then living by the entirety of the scriptures is SINE QUA NON. . IT IS A MUST.
Act 14:22 Confirming the souls of the disciples, and exhorting them to continue in the faith, and that we must through much tribulation enter into the kingdom of God.
Act 16:4 — 5 And as they went through the cities, they delivered them the decrees for to keep, that were ordained of the apostles and elders which were at Jerusalem. And so were the churches established in the faith, and increased in number daily.
Rom 1:5 By whom we have received grace and apostleship, for obedience to the faith among all nations, for his name:
Please don’t allow the merchandise and motivational speakers of today dissuade you to pick what is convenient in the Bible to obey. It is a straight way to damnation. You shall not be damned in Jesus name.
2Ti 2:17 — 18 And their word will eat as doth a canker: of whom is Hymenaeus and Philetus; Who concerning the truth have erred, saying that the resurrection is past already; and overthrow the faith of some.
1Ti 6:20 — 21 O Timothy, keep that which is committed to thy trust, avoiding profane and vain babblings, and oppositions of science falsely so called: Which some professing have erred concerning the faith. Grace be with thee. Amen.
Now dearly beloved you can not afford to trivialize what affects your eternal well-being. Be very sincere without any presumption. Do you believe the entirety of God’s unfailing and unchanging eternal words in the Bible? Are you living by them? Please examine yourself.
2Co 13:5 Examine yourselves, whether ye be in the faith; prove your own selves. Know ye not your own selves, how that Jesus Christ is in you, except ye be reprobates?
May the Lord help you to be wise unto salvation in Jesus name.
Friend, the dawning rapture shall not elude you in particular in Jesus name. But then, be prepared to live by the entirety of the scriptures. This is what the Bible refers to as the faith. See it yourself.
Jude 1:3 Beloved, when I gave all diligence to write unto you of the common salvation, it was needful for me to write unto you, and exhort you that ye should earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints.
But then living by the entirety of the scriptures shall expose you to unavoidable challenges and persecutions, especially at this perilous time.
Act 14:22 Confirming the souls of the disciples, and exhorting them to continue in the faith, and that we must through much tribulation enter into the kingdom of God.
1Pe 5:8 — 9 Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour: Whom resist stedfast in the faith, knowing that the same afflictions are accomplished in your brethren that are in the world.
Rev 13:10 He that leadeth into captivity shall go into captivity: he that killeth with the sword must be killed with the sword. Here is the patience and the faith of the saints.
Rev 14:12 Here is the patience of the saints: here are they that keep the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus.
Friend, when you conscientiously live by the faith and resolute to endure the challenges that your wise decision might cost you, then you shall be part of this imminent event and be graciously rewarded at eternity. This shall surely be your portion in Jesus name.
2Ti 4:7 — 8 I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith: Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing.
So be resolute to live by the faith, meaning, the entirety of the scriptures.
1Co 16:13 Watch ye, stand fast in the faith, quit you like men, be strong.
See you at the top in Jesus name
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